Best Running Shoes of the First Half of 2023: 17 Standouts Across Every Category

Introduction

The first half of 2023 delivered an unusually strong run of releases. Super foams and carbon plates keep refining, geometry is becoming the next frontier of innovation, and daily trainers have quietly gotten better across the board. This roundup pulls together the standouts across every category: no-frills daily trainers, max-cushion cruisers, versatile super trainers, outright race shoes, and trail options.

A quick note on how to use this list. Every stride is different, and that matters more in the super shoe era than ever before. A shoe that works brilliantly for one runner may not suit another, so treat these as strong starting points and try before committing where you can.

The Daily Trainers That Earned Their Miles

Saucony Ride 16

The Ride 16 is the definition of a reliable daily trainer. The midsole is standard EVA, nothing dramatic, but the update smoothed out the ride, improved the underfoot traction profile, and made small upper tweaks for better lockdown. It is durable, it works with a wide range of mechanics, and it is the kind of shoe you can log half your weekly mileage in without ever thinking about it.

Hoka Clifton 9

The Clifton 9 surprised more than a few testers. The updated foam gives the ride just enough pop that it no longer feels like a purely slow-day shoe, while staying cushioned and comfortable for regular daily running. It fits well, the geometry is smooth, and it has quietly become a go-to for easy days and slightly up-tempo efforts alike.

Asics Nimbus 25

For max cushioning fans, the Nimbus 25 is arguably the best on the market right now. The foam is nailed, the geometry makes easy running feel genuinely easy, and long-term durability has held up impressively, with some runners putting many hundreds of miles on a single pair. If you love soft, high-stack shoes for daily miles, start here.

Topo Phantom 3

The Phantom 3 is beautifully balanced: a mid-stack ZIP foam EVA midsole, a gentle rocker, just enough flexibility with a touch of rigidity, and Topo’s wide, foot-shaped toe box that fits many runners exceptionally well. It is a simple shoe that works, comfortable enough for easy miles and long days on your feet, and it never seems to get boring.

The Versatile All-Rounders

Topo Cyclone 2

The Cyclone 2 might be the most fun shoe of the year. A PBAX midsole at around 27mm of stack, no plate, a relatively flexible forefoot, and a locked-down upper make a shoe that can genuinely do almost anything: fast 60-second quarters on the track, long nine or ten mile tempos, easy runs, and long runs. It stays forgiving, holds up surprisingly well against heavy mileage, and it is the single shoe many testers would pack for a trip.

Adidas Adizero Boston 12

The Boston 12 corrects course after a couple of softer generations. A larger dose of Lightstrike Pro paired with a softer Lightstrike 2.0 carrier creates a bouncier, more lively ride, and the full-length energy rod system carried over from the Adizero Pro line helps the shoe roll forward smoothly. It is a bit of a jack of all trades, but it shines as a fast, cushioned, efficient option for quicker long runs where you might dip toward or under six-minute pace.

Saucony Kinvara Pro

The Kinvara Pro stands out because it is a racing shoe engineered to also work at easier paces. Fast runners can use it for long runs and relaxed efforts, while runners who do not want an ultra-aggressive super shoe can race in it comfortably at their own pace. It is an unusually approachable entry into plated performance footwear, though the exposed outsole rubber can wear faster than some runners would like.

Brooks Hyperion GTS

The Hyperion GTS is exciting for a different reason: it keeps light stability alive in a market where stability shoes have been disappearing. It blends sidewall-based guidance with a flexible, lighter-weight platform, creating a unique ride that works both for faster days and daily training. Runners who want just a little support without a bulky post should take a close look.

Asics Gel-Kayano 30

Reworking a classic as popular as the Kayano in its 30th iteration was a serious risk, but Asics pulled it off. The Gel-Kayano 30 embraces a stable-neutral concept, applying what the brand learned from its lighter stable-neutral models to create a modern, well-executed take on supportive daily training. Longtime fans and newcomers alike have responded well.

The Race-Day Super Shoes

Nike Vaporfly 3

Nike still leads the super shoe category. The Vaporfly 3 does not revolutionize the formula; instead it refines it with a slightly softer feel, an airier upper with better lockdown, and improved forefoot traction. Small percentages matter over 26.2 miles, and this remains the benchmark super shoe that other brands are chasing.

Saucony Endorphin Elite

The Endorphin Elite is a bold, distinctive step for Saucony. The brand played with both midsole construction and geometry rather than following the traditional template, and the result is a shoe built for long, rhythmic, fast efforts. For runners whose mechanics respond well to it, it delivers at the highest level; it has carried marathon personal bests already.

Mizuno Rebellion Pro

Mizuno put itself back on the map with the Rebellion Pro. The radical geometry creates a rolling, almost mechanical feeling of propulsion through the stride, backed by a quality super foam and thoughtful plate work. Durability has held up better than most super shoes, which is a rare compliment in this category. The aggressive geometry will not suit every runner, so it is one to test in person.

Hoka Cielo Road

The Cielo Road fills a gap: a low-stack super shoe for shorter, sharper races. It uses a premium PEBA-based foam with no plate and a real track-spike-like upper, keeping it nimble and close to the ground. For 5K and 10K racing with lots of tight turns, the connected, responsive feel is a genuine advantage, and it doubles as a versatile option for fast workout days.

Adidas Takumi Sen 9

The Takumi Sen 9 sharpens an already focused formula. An improved upper brings better lockdown and a better overall experience, while the responsive midsole and dependable traction make it a fast, confident choice from 5K up through 10K, and even into the half marathon for the right runner.

The Trail Contingent

Nike Ultrafly

The Ultrafly brings the super shoe era to the trails with ZoomX tuned specifically for off-road use, a plate designed to adapt to uneven terrain, and, finally, a Vibram outsole that grips convincingly. Despite a generous stack it never feels bulky, the lockdown is excellent, and it has already produced podium results at major ultra events. It also handles road surprisingly well, making it a genuine two-surface option.

Saucony Endorphin Edge

The Endorphin Edge is the other clear trail super shoe leader, with full-length super foam for responsiveness and a forked plate designed to flex in a way that suits uneven ground. Like the Ultrafly, it transitions well to pavement, and the choice between the two may genuinely come down to fit and how each geometry works with your gait. Trying both is worthwhile.

Salomon Ultra Glide 2

The Ultra Glide 2 is the sensible trail workhorse of this list. Relatively shallow lugs keep it best suited to hard-packed and moderate terrain rather than deep mud, but the smooth geometry, grounded-but-not-mushy cushioning, and secure feel inspire confidence on long trail days, including for runners with historically unstable ankles.

Overall Buying Advice

A few patterns are worth carrying into your next purchase. First, match the shoe to the job: most runners still need a dependable daily trainer for the bulk of their mileage, with plated shoes reserved for faster work. Second, geometry matters more than ever, and super shoes in particular reward personal testing because every runner’s gait responds differently. Third, do not overlook “boring” shoes; some of the most satisfying mileage of the year comes from simple, durable, well-balanced trainers.

Finally, the pace you run changes what works. Some super shoes feel magical only under six-minute pace, while others stay pleasant when you are tired and running easy. Whenever possible, test a shoe at the paces you will actually use it for before deciding.

Conclusion

The first half of 2023 rewarded runners in every category, from the max-cushion comfort of the Asics Nimbus 25 to the race-day sharpness of the Nike Vaporfly 3 and the trail breakthrough of the Nike Ultrafly. Identify the role you need filled, shortlist accordingly, and any of the shoes above is a strong bet.